The Four Noble Truths are not merely theoretical propositions but a framework for understanding and transforming our experience.

Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.

The Four Noble Truths are not mere doctrinal propositions but a framework for understanding and transforming our lives.

Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.

Where there is great doubt, there is great awakening; small doubt, small awakening; no doubt, no awakening.

The noting mind and the object noted appear to occur as a pair. Through concentration they are seen to arise and vanish together.

The ultimate revolution is the spiritual revolution, where we learn to see reality as it truly is.

Wisdom arises when you see the true characteristics of phenomena through direct experience.

The more you understand impermanence, the more you appreciate every moment.

The goal of the Buddhist path is not to add something to our existence but to discover something that has been there all along.

The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with.

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

Sensations are not your enemy. They are your teacher. Through observing them, you understand the truth of existence.

Real happiness lies within. It cannot be found in external objects or achievements.

The state of mind that exists when you sit in the right posture is, itself, enlightenment.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

The door of your heart can only be opened from the inside.

Right practice is steady practice. Whether you feel lazy or diligent, just keep practicing.

The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.

Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts.

The key to transformation is not to fight with our experience but to open to it with awareness.

The only thing that we truly have control over is our attitude toward experience.

The entire path is a path of self-responsibility. Nobody else can walk it for you.

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different.

The development of wisdom requires both study and practice, both learning and direct experience.

If you forget yourself, you become the universe.

The essence of the spiritual journey is the uncovering of what is always already present.

We deal with our mind from morning until evening, and it can be our best friend or our worst enemy.

In the spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon; in the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter, snow will accompany you. If useless things do not hang in your mind, any season is a good season for you.

The more you meditate, the more you understand yourself and the better friend you become to yourself.

The yogi's joy is in the solitude of mountains, where all distractions naturally dissolve into emptiness.

Zazen is not step-by-step meditation. Rather it is simply the easy and pleasant practice of a Buddha, the realization of the Buddha's Wisdom.

Wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge, but about seeing through all knowledge.